Jane McElvany Coonce's daily news, latest paintings from this contemporary representational artist. Spotlights the trials and triumphs of day-to-day life as a working artist.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Beer

33 Bottles of Beer on the Wallby Jane McElvany Coonce

This is another trompe l'oeil painting I did for my oldest son when he was in college. Trompe l'oeil means "fool the eye", so although this is painted on a canvas just like any other painting, I painted it to look like a wooden bookshelf.

When Nicholas was in college, he told me he wanted a painting for his apartment. I asked him what he wanted, and he said he didn't know. I asked him what he liked, and he said, "Beer." So I decided to do a trompe l'oeil beer bottle painting. I wanted every bottle to be different. I went over to the Lost Dog Cafe which carries every beer known to man and asked them if they recycled their beer bottles. They said no, but that they had a big trash bin in the back alley, and I was welcomed to look through there. I was dressed in my painting clothes, so I figured, what the heck. I proceeded to dig through the bin full of bottles and pulled out many interesting ones. Each label is like a separate still life. As I was rummaging through the bin, I saw a couple walking by on the side walk. I saw the woman glance over at me and heard her say, "Oh, the poor thing is hungry." That was when I figured I better get out of there before someone I knew saw me. Gosh, the things we do for art (and for our kids!)

Tompe l'oeil paintings take a lot of time. They have to be perfect or the artist won't fool anyone.
I did make some giclees (reproductions) of this painting because I think it would make a great painting over a bar or in someone's rec room. I also make notecards with this image. It's a perfect way to make college kids write thank you notes and think it's a cool thing to send. Whatever it takes!

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Paintings of Jane McElvany Coonce in Arlington, VA

About Me

"The way light falls on an object has always fascinated me. In paintings and in sculpture, I strive to capture the interesting effect that light plays on the subject."
Jane McElvany Coonce has been in the art field for over 30 years. She works primarily in oil, pastel, and terra cotta. Her favorite subjects are children, seascapes, and bridge scenes. She is particularly skillful at capturing the luminescent quality of sunlight reflecting on water and on the interplay of water and sky.
Her works are held by private and corporate collectors. Her corporate collectors include the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland and the International Country Club, Fairfax, Virginia and the Rickover Academy in Chicago. She has won numerous awards for both her paintings and her sculptures.
She has been an art instructor for Arlington County Adult Education since 1980.